Working in the UK can be a dream-come-true life event for many foreign nationals. To work in the UK, you will usually need a work visa or work permit. Working in the UK through most work visas, such as a UK skilled worker visa, often requires a formal job offer. But there are other routes that allow individuals to work in the UK without having prior employment. Each of these visas has its own requirements and application procedures. So, it is important to explore each of them in detail and then choose the most appropriate work visa.
There are a number of different work visas, such as skilled worker visas, and temporary work visas, such as the Seasonal Worker visa for foreign nationals looking to work in the UK. Most of these visas require the applicant to have a formal job offer and sponsorship from an approved UK employer.
However, there are other visa routes that you can apply for without a job offer.
Most UK visas require having an eligible job offer from a UK employer who must also be a licenced sponsor. However, there are some visa routes for which you do not need to have a job offer. The list of such visas includes the following:
• British National (Overseas) Visa
• Graduate Visa
• Global Talent Visa
• UK Ancestry Visa
• Youth Mobility Scheme Visa
• India Young Professional Scheme Visa
• High Potential Individual (HPI) Visa
After Brexit, EU nationals wanting to work in the UK must also apply for a UK work visa or permit. However, EU nationals who have Pre-Settled Status or Settled Status under the EUSS (EU Settlement Scheme) do not require a work visa or work permit to work in the UK.
You can apply for visas such as a High Potential Individual visa, Graduate visa, or Global Talent visa to get a work visa or work permit in the UK without a job offer. However, you will need to meet other criteria to successfully apply for an unsponsored work visa in the UK.
Individuals who have graduated from a top global university within the last five years can apply for the HPI Visa to kickstart their career and explore diverse opportunities in the UK without needing a job offer or sponsorship.
Key features of this visa include:
It is designed for individuals who an eligible university has awarded a qualification equivalent to a UK Bachelor’s degree, a UK Postgraduate’s degree, or a UK PhD degree or doctorate in the last 5 years.
Visa holders can work in most jobs, look for work, be self-employed, or do voluntary work.
Individuals with an HPI visa can stay in the UK for a period of two years (three years for a PhD or other doctoral qualification).
Have you studied a UK bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or other eligible course for a minimum period of time with a student visa or previous Tier 4 (General) student visa, and eager to start your career?
The Graduate Visa permits you to stay in the UK for two years (three years for those with a PhD or other doctoral qualification) to work, or look for work in the UK. The duration has been proposed to be reduced to 18 months instead of 2 or 3 years.
The visa does not require a job sponsorship or a job offer.
A UK graduate visa allows international students to transition into the UK workforce, gain valuable work experience, and potentially switch to other UK work visas, such as the Skilled Worker Visa.
For young individuals aged 18-30 or 18-35, depending on where they’re from, the Youth Mobility Scheme Visa offers a chance to experience life in the UK without a job offer.
The visa is for certain types of British Nationals or those from certain countries or territories. This visa allows you to live and work in the UK for up to 24 months.
The Youth Mobility Scheme visa is ideal for:
Young professionals who want to gain international work experience and broaden their horizons.
Explore British culture and different parts of the country.
Finding short-term opportunities, such as a temporary work and travel adventure in the UK.
Are you a leader or potential leader in your field? The UK Global Talent Visa welcomes exceptional individuals in arts, culture, academia, research, or digital technology. While applicants don’t need a job offer, they will, however, need an endorsement from an approved UK body.
You need to know the following before you apply:
You’ll need to get an endorsement first, unless you have won an eligible prestigious prize, in order to prove that you’re a leader or potential leader in your field.
You can work, start a business, or pursue research in the UK without employer restrictions.
This visa may lead to settlement in the UK, allowing you to live and work in the UK without any immigration restrictions.
Do you have a grandparent who was born either in the UK, the Isle of Man, or the Channel Islands, and are you one of the following:
• A Commonwealth citizen
• A British overseas citizen
• A British Overseas Territories citizen
• A British national (overseas)
• A citizen of Zimbabwe
The UK Ancestry Visa grants you permission to live and work (full-time or part-time, paid or voluntary, in self-employment or in a job for an employer) in the UK for five years without having a job offer. This visa also provides a pathway to indefinite leave to remain (also known as ‘settlement) in the UK, followed by British citizenship.
You need to know the following about the UK ancestry visa:
It requires submitting proof of the fact that one of your grandparents was born in the UK, the Isle of Man, or the Channel Islands.
It allows you to live and work in the UK for five years, with the possibility of an extension.
It is also a route to settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) after five years.
Are you a young Indian professional aged between 18 and 30 with an eligible qualification?
This visa allows you to live and work (without a job offer) in the UK for up to 2 years. Young Indians can use the India Young Professional Scheme Visa to come to the UK looking for work, starting a business, or even pursuing some eligible courses of study.
If you turn 31 after the Home Office has issued your visa, you can stay and work in the UK for as long as your visa is valid.
By contacting us, you will be able to receive expert legal assistance in applying for and obtaining UK work visas (both with a job offer and without a job offer). Our immigration experts will help you understand and navigate the work visa process with the necessary support at every stage.
We provide professional advice, help you prepare documents, and represent your interests before the relevant decision-making authorities. We can help you build a portfolio that supports the requirements for all types of visas.
We provide legal support at all stages of visa applications, including representation of your case before all government agencies.
We aim to help you achieve your dream of working in the UK.
If you have any urgent queries, call us at +44 (0)20 3411 1261
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